H.H.
I am a school psychologist but uncertain exactly how FCPS's process works. But it's typical to talk with the principal and ask for a meeting to discuss concerns you have with your son's progress and/or success at school. You DON'T want to immediately jump to having an evaluation done. Especially a private eval since when you're paying someone to find an answer they inevitably will find an answer. An evaluation doesn't necessarily get your child the help he will need and at this point because he's so young they may not find anything that is significantly wrong (at least on paper). You know your child the best and you want the school to get to know him too. The process is to discuss the concerns so that the school can keep an eye on him and if it's determined by everyone involved (this includes you every step of the way) that he's struggling beyond what can be done directly in the classroom then they would want to further investigate what's going on through an eval. They will use the information you have given along the way, as well as, any information they have gathered through observing him in the classroom setting (academically & behaviorally). If as the school year goes on you decide that you really want him evaluated because he's just not making progress, then you as a parent have the right to an evaluation. Again, they will keep you informed every step of the way. The eval process takes 60 days (not business days) from the date that the permission is signed so it takes a little while, but it must (by law) be done within that window. Oh, typically the school psychologist will attend the meetings that involve this process, so ask questions, they can give you and the teacher tips and ideas on what can be done to help your son as well. Hope this helps, if you want to ask any other questions you can message me.
